Yes, I am aware

That's why I was hoping to find someplace that kinda paid as you go. Someday when I've hit the lotto it might be an intriguing business concept- a true on-call perdiem type service. Until then, though, I guess I'll just have to learn to drink my coffee black and thrive on Cocoa Wheats and Ramen Noodles.

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unemployment numbers climbing as we speak? Getting into a new field even if you have the right education is no piece of cake in this job market. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't.

The reason people try to stay with MT is because if you have years of experience and the education, the health care field is one that is relatively recession/depression proof. To go out on a limb at this time and try to get into a new field/job is highly risky. Who is to say even if you do manage to get the right education that you would be able to get your foot in the door with no experience under your belt? Then, how are you going to pay off your education debt? That is what a lot of college grads are facing today.

A lot of the MTSOs are highly mismanaged these days. The left arm does not know what the right arm is doing and in many instances very talented MTs with years of experience, dedication and devotion to this industry are finding it a sticky mess and are jumping ship early lest they get mired into madness. That does not mean they are not looking elsewhere and darn well should.

So please let's not knock our fellow brethern when they complain about what they are going through making a living in this industry. Let's all be empathetic and listen and try to empower rather than put down. There is no job in America these days that is a anything to right home about. If people say they love their jobs and are making gobs of money, you might ask them what planet they are living on. We don't need to hear the tough love approach at this time. This is a serious business and it is being seriously mismanaged and a lot of MTs are unduly suffering due to the callous and thoughtless approach of the powers that be.

Thank you. We do not pay for spaces, and we are aware of all the
very very good arguments about it. We feel our line is a true 65 char line, unlike some other services, we pay for headers, footers and everything on the page, and we have volume bonuses, we reimburse for flat rate phone plans, have bonus days off for volume, have given a raise, some small, some better, every year since we began 7+ years ago, and always have work. We try to fit people to the type of work they like, ops, discharges, internet, lanier, acute care, etc. We give high volume producers a few accounts daily so they don't run out of work, and lower producers just one, or perhaps two if they wish for insurance. We don't jerk you around acct to acct daily like I've read on this board of other services, we have a wonderful QA staff and support for all new people, growing every year so no one is cut short. We have almost all the original MTs who came with us when we started, and we hope that speaks volumes. SOmetimes it's not how much per line but how much can you make per hr, or per day, day in and day out with a service, and be treated with respect. We are not for everyone, but we hope we are not dismissed offhand because of the space issue without one really knowing us as a company.
And besides, they are already aware of the problem
I just wonder how they are going to resolve the issue. I don't suppose they can unhire the recently hired MTs? I wonder if they hired them at a lower rate than the oldtimers and just figure if the long time MDIers quit then they are paying less? Please be aware that Transcend is
accounts in the near future, so if you like VR that is for you. But they are only paying half, so if you get 8 cpl for MT, you only get 4 CPL for VR. Also, no incentives or shift differentials and they require you to work on weekends. I don't know about the other one.
Are their clients aware?
If I were a client of theirs, I would look for someone else to do my transcription. If I were a patient of this client and if I found out that the client knowingly supports this sort of crap, I'd look for healthcare elsewhere. Heck, docs come a dime a dozen!!!

It all comes down to the customers--that's US!!! The American citizens who trust that our medical records are (1) kept confidential and (2) are done correctly IN THE USA!!!

There should be a way to inform the customers of HIS's clients. First and foremost, we, as customers, as Americans, need to boycott the physicians first--the ones who are sending American money overseas!!! There are PLENTY of other docs out there who support the USA and want to keep the work at home. They'll gladly take my money!

Persnonally, I don't want my medical record entrusted to overseas folks who, for the most part, hate us to begin with. They barely speak a word of English and they certainly do a pathetic job at trascribing. I've seen the damage these folks can do to medical records.

I think that we should boycott MDs who are paying HIS to transcribe for them.

on VR and they only pay you half your line rate - so if you are making 8 CPL, you would be paid only 4 CPL, and also no incentive for production, no shift differential, nothing extra, just 4 CPL. Also it is very, very hard to double your production to make up for the half pay. I felt I was mislead when I was hired about eventually having to go to VR (not given a choice) and what it entailed, low pay, etc.

They don't offer direct deposit, just mailed, typed, handsigned checks, which can be very hard to cash.

They don't communicate very well -- hard to get someone after 3pm EST if you have a problem.

At least one of their major accounts still uses a DOS platform and requires you to have this weird token thing that changes passwords every few minutes to log in. You also have to get their footpedal and software. So, if you're using their tools, their token, etc., how can you be an IC (since part of the definition of an IC is that you provide your own tools)? Another company the IRS needs to look into, IMHO.

The DOS platform is so slow you can't make any kind of lines. Instant Text works, but there is no way to save normals.

that advertises for traveling transcriptionists. From what I have read about them it isn't something I recommend, you have to front expenses, takes a while to get reimbursed, pay isn't anything special, etc.

With the internet it has pretty much eliminated the need to bring in transcriptionists.

Regardless, they do provide training. They do have Beyond Text I think which I have heard mixed reviews on. Someone said you cannot make money and another says she does so it is really hard to get objective information. I guess it depends on the person too.

even though this board has 'flip-flopped' and now agrees with this practice, it is still driving our rates way down and has damaged our trust.

I have done two reports on individuals working with homeland security just this past week...hmmm, I wonder if they realize how vulnerable they would be having their 'vital information' shipped overseas for ANYONE to see. bet if they have a choice, their work is done here, and WHY WOULD THAT BE? Why would these people be more important than we are?
i worked for a company that used ExText, and they were aware of a problem
with the line counting, so they actually provided a web site, separate from Extext, that provided your daily count.
Just be aware that not all Escription accounts pay the same. I worked for one company on Escription
struggling to maybe make $50 in 8-10 hours. I didnt know the difference as that was my first job on that platform and I just thought it was not a money maker. Then, I switched companies. I average $20-30 an hour and once I made $50 in an hour. I tried yet another company and I was lucky to make $9 an hour. The bottom line is that not all companies are alike, even though they use the Escription platform. What I have found is that goes according to how they set it up i.e. paying for footers, headers, spaces etc. Just dont be shocked if you dont make what you think you will. The companies know how to set it to where it benefits them and not you. As is the norm, not all companies are created equal out there regardless if they all use the same platform. That is what I am getting out.. Good luck.
Maybe QA made the decision, not the company, and the company managers are not aware of it. sm
I started with a company that did the same thing. When I went to the manager outside of QA, she fixed it right away. Turns out that the QA manager had made a decision to do that and had not told anyone else.

It does make sense to do that though. Find out if it is a few days or longer and base your decision on that.